KENT, Ohio – Using a season-high score of 49.2 on floor exercise, the West Virginia University gymnastics team (3-3) tallied a 194.825-194.05 win over Kent State inside the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center in Kent, Ohio, on Sunday.
 
Four of WVU's five scoring gymnasts scored a 9.8 or higher on floor to help the Mountaineers earn their first event score of 49.0+ this season. West Virginia also performed well on vault with a 48.875, while the squad tallied scores of 48.625 on balance beam and 48.075 on the uneven bars.
 
The Mountaineers opened the meet on bars, where sophomore Emma Wehry paced the lineup with a 9.8. Freshman Jayden McDonnell scored a career-high 9.725, followed by scores of 9.625 and 9.6 from sophomore Miranda Smith and fifth-year senior Abbie Pierson, respectively. A pair of bobbles in the lineup meant that freshman Amber Lowe's score of 9.325 was unfortunately counted.
 
WVU got its rhythm back in the second rotation on vault, with three Mountaineers scoring a 9.8 or higher. Wehry once again led the way with a season-high 9.875, while Pierson matched her season best with a 9.85. Junior Brooke Alban also tallied a season high with a 9.8. The scoring was capped by a pair of 9.675's from senior Kiana Lewis and sophomore Olivia Pitzer.
 
From there, West Virginia kept the momentum going on floor with four scores of 9.8+, including a career-high 9.925 from freshman Jurnee Lane. The total marked her first career score of 9.9 or higher, as well as WVU's first 9.9 score this season. Pierson was just behind Lane with a season-best 9.875, while Lowe tallied a career-best score of 9.85. Alban rounded out the rotation with career-high 9.775.
 
Capping the meet on beam, WVU stayed solid throughout the rotation to eventually seal the victory. A season-high 9.85 from Pierson led the lineup, followed by a career-high matching 9.8 from freshman Julia Brown. Smith secured a 9.775, before scores of 9.65 from Lewis and 9.55 from Lowe completed the meet for the Mountaineers.
 
In the all-around, Pierson took the top spot in the final standings with a season-high matching 39.175 total on all four events. Wehry made her career debut in the all-around on Sunday, competing on floor for the first time and earning a 38.575 total for second place.
 
Wehry took home first place on vault and bars, while Pierson and Lane secured first place on beam and floor, respectively. Additionally, Pierson also finished in a tie for second on vault, and Brown secured a second-place finish on beam.
 
Up next, the Mountaineers prepare to open their Big 12 Conference slate against league newcomer BYU on Friday, Feb. 2. Action inside the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah, is tabbed for 9 p.m. ET.
 
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